To think that the parents of the birthday child cover the cost of a birthday treat?

[Rantymop]

Ds has been invited to a classmates birthday, consisting of cinema trip and pizza afterwards.

Confined that ds would be going, and today I recieved an email asking for £30 to cover the part of his cinema ticket, dinner and transport to the venue.

Ds has had a couple of the cinema/pizza type birthdays and I have always covered all costs for all the children invited.

It's a bit odd, right?

[Floralnomad]

The issue here is its not so much a party as a ' would you like to come to the cinema and pizza place because its my birthday ' . I think at that age it's fairly normal for a few friends to go out and pay for themselves but the mum has obviously made a faux pas by getting involved and turning it into an organised party . When my DS was at school this happened all the time but no one ever said it was a set cost you just went along and paid your own way IYSWIM .

[fuzzpig]

I think you just need to say sorry, didn't realise I would need to give that much, can't afford it.

That's the polite version anyway.

[YoooSkylaaaarrrrrggghh]

Cheeky buggers!

[TheWitTank]

YWNBU to contact parents and say DS now cannot attend. No need to give a reason if you don't want to, but you wouldn't be out of order adding a bit about not realising guests would be expected to pay. It's really cheeky and far too expensive. I think they are probably using the extra cash to pay for their own tickets/food.

[Excitedforxmas]

Cheeky sods

[KnackeredMuchly]

Unbelievable!

Please don't encourage them by paying it!

[Rantymop]

I spoke to ds about it, he's in the full on early teen drama stage, so that went well.

I'm going to email back that he can't go as i didn't realise there would be a cost.

Just trying to gauge from others if this is normal for the age of the kids though - 13? I know it's not for younger kids, but when they are teens? Ds is my eldest so its al new to me.

[raltheraffe]

Prices:

Cineworld child ticket £1.60
Pizza hut child's party £3.99 per head (unlimited salad, main and drink)

So this would leave travel expenses of £24.41

Based on mileage allowance rates (45 p/mile) this would equate to a 54 mile round trip.

Our car's fuel expense is 12 p per mile, so based on that it would equate to a 203 mile round trip....and that is before taking into account it is likely to be more than one child per car.

In other words they are taking the piss.

[pluCaChange]

Bloody hell! Talk to the other parents so you are presenting a united front.

Bet you parents could club together and invite the birthday child for less than that, just to make a point... but then the parents still wouldn't have to put their hands in their pockets!

[TurnOverTheTv]

I don't think at 13 the ticket price would be £1.60, or £3.99 for a kids party at most it would be £20! Are they getting a cab the cheeky buggers?

[TheWitTank]

Teenager's cinema tickets are £7.00 peak time at Odeon. No way pizza and a drink are costing £20 plus especially not with a meal deal at Pizza Hut or similar.

[raltheraffe]

According to Cineworld, the child ticket price is for children of 14 and under

[Summerisle1]

Until my dcs reached the age when they arranged their own birthday celebrations - at 16 they preferred to swan off into our nearest city and eat their own weight in pizza before trying to get into the cinema to see unsuitable films! - all costs were covered by the parents of the child/young person having the party.

Which is why you planned a party around what it would cost, what you could afford and thus how many could be invited. As mine got older, parties tended to get smaller but I can't imagine a circumstance where you'd have asked for a contribution. The only "extras" I recall anyone paying for was the year when ds1 and 2 friends wanted a day out in a nearby seaside resort and the friends brought a bit of pocket money along to cover any of the incidental bits they wanted to buy - think sticks of rock, extra sweets or other tourist related tat!

[Rantymop]

No, they are taking two cars, that's what the email said.

Fwiw, we are in London, cinema tickets are extortionate

I've told ds he can go if he pays for it out of his allowance, which is £40 per month.

Funnily enough, he's changed his mind.

I have emailed saying I didn't realise that there was a cost involved.

Like isaid, I don't know the parents so I'm not bothered. Have no idea who the other parents are either.

[TurnOverTheTv]

A teen ticket is for ages 13-17 because I book it for my daughter. I think the £1.60 is for the Saturday morning kids showings at 10am

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

ralth, I think your prices are a little off! Agreed that £20 would do it.
No way would I charge anyone to come to dds birthday bash. If you invite them you invite them.

Mind you I was a bit when I accompanied dd and her friends on an outing that they wanted to go on (theme park type thing) and one of her friends arrived without any money to pay. But that was a mutually arranged thing between them that I facilitated.

[TurnOverTheTv]

That's with odeon though come to think of it.

[Rantymop]

I was polite in the email by the way! I just said that I didn't realise there was a cost involved.

fwiw, that kid is invited to ds birthday, they are going paintballing and we are covering the whole cost for everyone, including lunch as part of his birthday present. I wouldn't have dreamed of asking parents to chip in.

[steff13]

Just trying to gauge from others if this is normal for the age of the kids though - 13? I know it's not for younger kids, but when they are teens? Ds is my eldest so its al new to me.

My oldest is 15. We usually do a laser tag party for his birthday. In the past we've done bowling parties, movie parties, mini golf, etc., and we've always paid. I'd never think of asking guests to pay for the party. In years money has been tight, we've done sleepovers with pizza, video games, etc.

[angelohsodelight]

What a cheek? I'm glad you declined! Have they replied?

[ArthurShappey]

I think this is exceptionally cheeky, but I'm a mug, I'd probably give my DS the £30 and tell him not to hand it over to the parents but instead pay his own way. I'd make our own travel arrangements too. I'd still buy a gift probably because it's not the child's fault his parents are cheeky sods.

[Fullpleatherjacket]

Mine aren't teens now but not normal at all I'd say. We used to hire a DVD and get a hell of a lot of pizza delivered when ours were that age but we wouldn't have dreamt of charging the guests.

For £30 I'd be expecting a première and dinner at The Ivy

[mcdog]

Omg, I cannot believe the cheek of it!! Gotta admit I am looking forward to hearing her reply to your email :)